Picture frame



June 10, 1941.

c. 5. PRICE PICTURE FRAME Filed May 25. 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ay/4515s J. ,P/F/CE ATTORNEY.

June 10, 1941.- c. s. PRICE PICTURE FRAME Filed May, 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v ATTORNEY.

Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PICTURE FRAME.

Charles vS. Price, Hollis, NLY.

Application May. 25, 1937; Serial No...144,'56'7 12 .Claims. (o1. 40 152.1)

This invention relates to picture frames-or photomounts, with the parts so arranged-that picturesmay be readily interchanged.

The principal object-of my invention, generally considered,- is-to provide-for-economical mass production of picture frames, so that very attractive frames forphotographs and the like may be producedonan economical basis.

Another object of myinvention is the provision of a picture frame having a hinged back through which the picture may be removed or inserted and a novel means of closure, said frame also desirably including an easel and loop hanger.

A further objectof my invention is the-provision of a picture frame consisting of a few simple pieces which can be economically produced with standard toolsand assembled inexpensively by means of a special assembling fixture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts, will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawingsillustratingmy in- Vention;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a frame embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevatio-nal view of the frame of Fig. 1.

Fig.3 is a side .elevational view. of the frame of Figs. 1 and 2,,with the easel in supporting position and its tongue locking it in place.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view,of the frame with the door or hinged portion of the back and easel in open positions and the tongue unlocked.

Fig.5 is an explodedviewindicating the-man- Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontallsectionaltview on the line VII--VII of Fig. 2, looking-in the'direction of the arrows.

Fig, 8 is a perspective View of the-fixture or jig, for assembling the parts of the frame, when in open position.

Fig. 9 is a vertical dsectionalview -of thefixture. when in closed position on the ,line,-IX-. IX of- Fig.v 8, looking imthe direction: of the arrows;

Fie.-. 0.is a view c rrespondin to Fig. 2 but;

showing, another embodiment.

Referring to .the drawings in detail, like parts being designated J by like reference characters, andfirst' consideringsthe embodiment of my--invention illustratedzin-Figs. .1 to 5'7 inclusive,v there is shown a pictureframel comprisingadecora-rv tlve face portion 2, which is preferably made of;

tion or backing} is desirably out to providean.

openinggallowing a central or door portion. 4

' thereof to swing back and permit, a. picture 5 to beinserted.

A' Celluloid or other transparent window, desig-. nated by the reference character 6', desirably covers the face of the picture andappears inthe opening 1 in the face portion-of the frame. Said window B-may be fastened-to the faceportion 2 or be initially-loose and held inplacewhen the portions of the frame are assembled.

A pressure pad 8 is employed, preferably consisting of a plurality of resilient cardboard members 9. and I0, desirably glued together, the larger member 9 engaging the picture and the smaller member In engagingan intermediate member I I, which in turn engages the back and covers the opening left by thehingedeasel'portion l2 of saidback, when the same is moved toopen or frame supporting position, as illustrated in Fig. 3.' The. free or normally lower end of the easel portion I2 is desirably formed with a notch 29, as, illustrated, to facilitate engagementthereof for opening.

An apertured or loop hanger member [3, de sirably madefro-m one piece of thin metal, is assembled between the face portion 2 of the frame and the cardboardjbacking 3, withits associated intermediate member II, as shown, most clearly in Figs, 5 and 6.

. The construction, above described, provides a very compact ,unit, whenfolded, withno projectingparts, making it possible to pack in. bulk with ease.

Themeans forrholdingnthe door 4 closed when the parts are assembled desirably comprises a soft pieceof metalwhichmay be separate from or a part of theloop hanger portion ,I3. The metalis desirably annealed aluminum and extends rearwardly from the surface of the backing 3, as indicated at I 4, while the hinged back is pressed into position, andit isv then folded over the upper edge, as indicated atlLholding the same. firmly in place. On account of the char-- acter of the metal piece, this opera-tionmay be repeated manytimes;

The easell2 desirably has. avlocking device-for.

holding it in the extended or supporting position.

.In the present embodiment this device takes the as when holding a picture having a width greater 7 than its height.

I propose to assemble the parts of such frames or photomounts by means of a special.jig or.

fixture 16, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Th'efixture comprises a bottom or base portion. l1 'anda,

top or pressure portion 18 hinged thereto, as indicated at 19. the parts togetherby engaging the keeper 2| on the upper or pressure portion E8. The bottom portion I! has fixed outer gauges 22 secured thereon and the hinged portion IB has a retractible center gauge 23.

The manner of employing the fixture for assembling the parts of the frame is desirably as follows: I

The heavy cardboard backing 3 is placed upon the stationary or base portion I! of the fixture, within the gauges 22. The intermediate member II is then placed on the backing member 3 followed by the pressure pad 8. Before placing in position, glue is desirably applied to the back of the. pressure padportion l0 and the edges of theintermediate member I I so that said parts will be secured to the backing portion 3 of the frame. V I

g The loop hanger I3 is placed in its correct position above the filler member 1 I, in the position indicated by the g-augeson the fixture ll, followed by the picture 5 and Celluloid window 6.

The face plate 2, the back of which isgummed, or has remoistening glue appliedthereto, is then applied, gum side up, upon the movable or hinged part ill of the fixture, being held in place by means of the interior retractible gauge 23. The gauge 23 is desirably mounted on sponge rubber or other resilient means or material 24, so that when the parts of the fixture are clamped together, it goes back into the body of the hinged portion E8. The exposed or gummed side of this face plate is then moistened by a wet sponge or other means arid the fixture immediately closed and looked under pressure by means of the toggle lock 20. The pressure applied by this look insures intimate contact between the parts which, because of the gauges, are correctly assembled. i

Closing of the cam lock 28 maintains pressure between all of the assembled members until the glue has had a chance to stick the parts together, so that when, the pressure is removed and'the fixture I 6 opened, the entire. completed frame or photomount may be removed as a unit.

As a final operation the locking .means I3 is folded outwardly, as indicated at M in Fig. 6, and then bent over the upper edge of the folding door portion 4,]as indicated at l5, after said door portion has been returned to its closed position. The easel I2and locking tongue 25 may then be move'dto supporting position, asillustrated inFig. 3. I

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10, a frame i is disclosed which may be A cam lock 23 servesto hold identical with the frame I of the first embodiment, except that there is no hinged door portion or flexible metal member for holding said door portion closed, the backing 3 having an aperture [3 which functions like the aperture in the member I3 of the first embodiment, for hanging the frame. The backing portion 3 however, desirably has a hinged easel portion I2 and other parts, as the portion 3 of the frame of the firstembodiment, although shown without the optional easel locking device.

In the present embodiment, however, the back -3 is intended to be glued to the face portion I of the frame permanently, whereby the frame I is not adapted for the ready interchange of pictures like the frame I.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention, have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 1

I claimp H l. A picture frame comprising a face portion provided with an aperture through which a picture may appear, and a back portion consisting of cardboard or the like cut to approximately coincide with the outer edges of the face portion to which it is secured, and provided with a door portion cut and swingable therefrom, and an easel portion cut from, and hinged thereto about an axis adjacent the free edge of, said door portion, causing the frame to stand.

2. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion provided witlra suitable aperture through which the picture appears, and a back portion consisting of cardboard or the like cut to approximately coincide with the outer edges of the face portion to which it is glued, said back being cut to provide a hinged door portion, said door portion being provided with an easel portion hingedly secured thereto adjacent the free edge of said door portion, and arranged to be positioned for causing the frame to stand.

3. A picture frame consisting of a decorative face portion provided with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, and a back portion consisting of heavy cardboard, cut to approximately coincide with'the outer edges of the face portion to which it is glued, said'back being provided with. a bottom hinged door portion having a top hinged easel portion out therefrom and integral therewith, and means for holding said door in closed position for retaining the picture in place. i V

4.-A picture frame-comprising a decorative face portion provided witha suitable aperture through which the picture appears, a back consisting of heavy cardboard, cut to approximately coincide with the outer edges of the face portion to which it is glued, saidbackwbeing provided with a hinged door portion having an. easel portion cut therefrom and integral therewith; and a thin soft metallic-strip extending from the back of said frame and bendable over the free edge of said door portion for holding it closed.

5. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, a back portion consisting of heavy cardboard cut to approximately coincide with the outer edges of the face portion to which it is glued, said back having a hinged door portion with an easel cut therefrom and integral therewith, means for holding said door portion in closed position, and a pressure pad centrally disposed with respect to said aperture, between a picture and said back portion, for embossing said picture outwardly in said aperture.

6. A picture frame consisting of a decorative face portion provided with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, and a back portion consisting of heavy cardboard, cut to approximately coincide with the outer edges of the face portion to which it is glued, said back being provided with a hinged door portion having an easel portion cut therefrom and integral therewith, and means comprising a locking member extending between the easel and frame for holding said easel in extended supporting position so that the frame will stand up on either a long edge or a short edge.

7. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion provided with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, a back consisting of cardboard, provided with a bottom hinged door portion having a, top hinged easel portion, and a metallic strip extending from the back of said frame and bendable over a free edge of said door portion for holding it closed.

8. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion provided with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, a back consisting of cardboard, provided with a bottom hinged door portion allowing convenient insertion and removal of a picture, and an apertured metallic strip disposed between the face and back portion, with its apertured portion projecting therebeyond to receive supporting means, and its other end portion extending from the back of said frame and bendable over a free edge of said door portion for holding it closed.

9. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, a back portion consisting of and a pressure pad centrally disposed with respect to said aperture, between a picture and said back portion, for embossing said picture outwardly in said aperture.

10. A picture frame consisting of a decorative face portion provided with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, and a back portion consisting of cardboard having a door portion for the insertion and removal of pictures, an easel portion cut from said door portion and integral therewith, and means hinged to said easel portion, and with its free end interlockingly engageable with respect to said back portion, for holding said easel in extended supporting position. 7

11. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, a back portion consistcardboard, having a bottom hinged door portion,

ing of cardboard, a pressure pad centrally disposed with respect to said aperture, between a picture and said back portion, for embossing said picture outwardly in said aperture, an easel hinged to said frame, and a locking member extending between said easel and frame, hinged to one and frictionally fitting an aperture in the other.

12. A picture frame comprising a decorative face portion with a suitable aperture through which the picture appears, and a back portion consisting of cardboard provided with a door portion allowing for the reception of said picture between said door and face portions, an easel hinged to said door portion, and a locking member extending between said easel and frame, hinged at its upper end to one, and with its free end portion reduced to form a lug which frictionally fits an aperture or pocket in, and is confined between the faces of, the other.

CHARLES S. PRICE. 

